Befriending Death and Living An Authentic Existence — Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, I found myself contemplating my own death. The pandemic took us all by surprise and wreaked havoc on our lives. In the past year, I wasn’t so afraid of it. Yes, infections rose day by day, but recovery rates are far higher than death tolls…

How Something Can Be More Beautiful For Being Broken — During my college days, I found Eastern Philosophy disorganized and hard to follow. I wasn’t fond of the subject because I found their ideas too simplistic. Unlike Western philosophy, where thinkers investigate the nature of truth, Eastern philosophy feels like a self-help section rather than actual philosophizing. My thoughts on…

An idea that can renew our life and perspective. — A common belief about human psychology is what happens in our early life determines the kind of person we will be as adults. When one has been given a nourishing environment, one will grow empathetic and level-headed. However, if one experienced abuse, one will become delinquent and depressive. While it’s…

On Moving Forward With Sorrow — INTRODUCTION & PLOT Drifting Home is a story about sixth graders Kousuke and Natsume. They have been long-time friends, but their relationship was strained because of a family incident. During their summer vacation, they visit a housing complex scheduled for demolition. Since they grew up there, they hold…

Beauty in Japanese philosophy — The other day, I met with a friend whom I did not see for three years. He was one of my closest friends in college, and I felt joy when he asked to meet and catch up. When we met, he told me that 2022 wasn’t his favorite year. He…

On The Limits Of Scientific Inquiry — This article contains spoilers. Alchemists are scientists you see. We don’t believe in creators and God and such. We observe the physical laws that govern this world and pursue truth. — Edward Elric INTRODUCTION Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is widely regarded as the greatest anime of…

On Pushing Forward Amidst Absurdity — INTRODUCTION & PLOT Tomoya, Ryou, and Aoi meet to test a local legend. They light fireworks in an open field, hoping it will call the summer ghost — a spirit believed to answer one’s most pressing questions. When the ghost Ayane appears, she reveals that only those…

On Love As What Gives Life Meaning — INTRODUCTION & PLOT The Fruits Basket franchise ended in Spring 2021, and ever since, I always wished to see it again because of its rawness and emotional impact. So when I heard Fruits Basket Prelude was animated, I felt happy because I’ll get to see…

On Revisiting Our Values — INTRODUCTION & PLOT Tokyo Godfathers, unlike Satoshi Kon’s first two films — Perfect Blue and Millennium Actress, is straightforward. The film shows how we, as a society, find it so easy to discard people and things we consider irrelevant. The story invites us to rethink this kind…